Valdes’ Liverpool snub should pave way for audacious Cech bid

Victor Valdes has kicked Liverpool while they are down by opting to train at Manchester United, giving a clear signal of intent the former Barcelona goalkeeper prefers to join up with Louis van Gaal over a long-mooted switch to Anfield.

Liverpool are still reeling from a Champions League hiding from Real Madrid which once again exposed current number one Simon Mignolet’s inability to deal with balls into his box.

While the Belgium stopper is not solely to blame for the Reds’ inability to keep clean sheets, it’s no secret that Liverpool fans and manager Brendan Rodgers were banking on Valdes’ arrival to offer much-needed competition for the number one jersey.

That competition will now have to be sought elsewhere and with Chelsea’s deposed first-choice keeper Petr Cech angling for a January exit from Stamford Bridge, Rodgers must be prepared to make a bid.

Jose Mourinho would naturally be opposed to selling the 32-year-old to a Premier League rival, especially given the amount of interest on the continent, but that shouldn’t prevent Liverpool from a move.

Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Besiktas are thought to be the current shortlist vying for Cech’s signature, but providing the player himself was open to staying in the Premier League, and the money was right, it’s a plausible deal.

To the dismay of their fans, Liverpool have quickly morphed from concerted title contenders of last season into top-four hopefuls during the opening stages of the current campaign.

Rodgers’ pale imitations face Hull in the Premier League next at Anfield, looking to put nine consecutive points on the board for the first time in 2014/15.

They are dubbed 9/10 shots to do so by Ladbrokes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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